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Video Poker Strategy

Video poker is based on discarding cards in order to build a stronger and higher paying hand. To get a better hand you need to be aware of the payout table, because not all the hands pay and the ranking changes from game to game.

For example, if you are playing Deuces Wild, a pair is not enough to win, and you need at least 3 of a kind to get 1:1 pay. And in Double Double Bank video poker a 4 of a kind pays higher than a royal flush. So before you start playing a video poker game you need to check the payout table of the variation you’re going to play and plan your game accordingly.

To win money you need a pair of Js or a higher hand, so if your starting hand doesn’t show anything, hold your Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces for a chance to hit a pair after you get your new cards. Although low pairs don’t pay, that doesn’t mean you should discard them, because they can turn into a 3 of a kind that pays 3:1.

Deuces Wild

In Deuces Wild you get paid starting from 3 of a kind, but because the 2s act as wild cards, this combination is quite common, and there is no reason to discard pairs. Of course, never discard a 2, you never know how it can help you after the next deal.

Jokers Wild and Joker Poker
Here the lowest paying hand is 2 pairs, and in this case you should also hold on to pairs because they can turn to 3 of a kind. Again, never discard a joker, wild cards are very handy.

Double Double Bank
Here it’s all about Aces and 4 of a kinds. The lowest paying hand is a pair of Jacks, and you need to keep your eyes open for anything that can turn into a 4 of a kind. Also, keep your aces because they can get you the high payouts.

One rule of thumb is to keep a paying hand rather than breaking it for a chance to hit a higher one. Like breaking a 3 of a kind because you’ve got 3 cards on the way to a straight flush, for example. A made hand can only get better, while the odds of making a brand new hand are low.

However, if you are planning a long play session you can allow yourself to take more chances because the longer you play you can hit high hands that may pay back for breaking low hands.

Bonus Game

The bonus games give you a chance to double your profit if you win, and keep the sum of the original bet in case you lose the bonus game, so you don’t lose money. In the bonus game you need to guess if the card behind the joker is High (higher then 8 ) or Low (8 or lower). Keep in mind that there are 7 low cards (2-8) and only 6 high cards (9-A), so the odds are slightly in favor of Low.